Barcelona in a Day with Sagrada Familia

Tour Overview

If you only have limited time in Barcelona, then our day-long tour with private transport is the best way to make sure that you get to see the best of what this fabulous city has to offer. In the company of our expert local guide, you’ll enter into the mind-bending world of Gaudí, discovering his extraordinary genius with privileged access to the Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia. Exploring Barcelona’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, we’ll encounter architectural masterpieces like the Casa Batlló and drink in the medieval atmosphere of the city’s Gothic quarter. On sunny Montjuic hill we’ll explore the sites of the 1929 World’s Fair and 1992 Olympics, whilst buzzing La Rambla captures the uniquely vibrant spirit of the Catalan capital. We’ll finish our tour the local way by sampling some delicious tapas. This is Barcelona at its best. Experience it with us.

Tour Description

Get the most out of your time in Barcelona with a private guide and driver

From extraordinary architecture to fabulous food and a vibrant cultural scene, the delights of Barcelona could easily keep you occupied for weeks. But if you’re short on time in the city and only have one day to see it all, then our Barcelona in a Day private tour is the best way to make sure you get to see the best of what the city has to offer. An expert local guide will be your constant companion on your day exploring Barcelona, and a private car and driver will be on hand for the duration of your tour - meaning that you’ll spend all your time getting to know the unique charms of the city rather than wasting time en-route. 

Experience the unique spirit of the Catalan capital in Park Güell

One of Barcelona’s best-loved attractions for good reason, colourful Park Güell encapsulates everything that makes the city so special and offers the perfect introduction to the unique architectural world of Anton Gaudí. A mysterious fantasy-world of surreal shapes and vibrant colours, Park Güell was originally intended as a residential quarter for well-to-do families in the opening years of the 20th century. Instead, Gaudí’s complex confection of undulating walls of brightly-coloured tiles, tree-shaped columns and impossible architecture became a marvellous public park boasting splendid views across Barcelona. In the company of our guide you’ll discover why Gaudí’s unique visions have become synonymous with the spirit of the Catalan capital. Our privileged access to Park Güell means we’ll get to skip the lines so we don’t have to queue to enter. 

Discover Barcelona’s Modernist heritage on the Paseo de Gracia

The vibrant Eixample neighbourhood is an unmissable stop on any Barcelona tour. Eixample was born from the city’s rapid expansion in the mid-nineteenth century, and its airy modernist abodes rich in symbolism have become a symbol of modern Barcelona. Today the quarter’s grid of tree-lined boulevards host an array of boutiques, bars and restaurants that make it one of the beating hearts of the city. 

But there’s a lot more to Eixample than buzzing streetlife: the quarter is also home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Barcelona along the Paseo de Gracia, a stunning tree-lined promenade studded with historic buildings. Chief amongst these masterpieces of Catalan Modernisme are the fantastical, dreamlike constructions of Antonio Gaudí, including the Casa Milà-La Pedrera and the Casa Batlló, whose undulating facades and rippling stained glass seem drawn straight from the pages of some impossible medieval fairytale. You’ll learn the fascinating story of the eccentric modern genius and his life’s work in the company of our guide as we stroll along Barcelona’s most famous boulevard. 

Enter into the extraordinary imagination of Gaudí in the Sagrada Familia

Gaudí will take centre-stage on the next stop on our tour, the nearby Sagrada Familia. Without doubt the most iconic landmark in the Catalan capital, this truly jaw-dropping basilica is still under construction more than 140 years after Gaudí first dreamed up plans for this world-famous temple to Catalan modernism. The edifice’s dizzying array of turrets, pinnacles and spires seems equal parts organic and manmade, and on our tour of the Sagrada Familia we’ll get a deep insight into the complex philosophy that underpinned Gaudí’s architectural vision - one where humanity, nature and Christian symbolism combined to conjure stunning architectural allegories unique in the world. Welcoming over 4 million visitors each year, the Sagrada Familia is a busy place - that’s why we make sure that we have privileged priority entrance to the basilica on all our tours. 

Take in spectacular views across Barcelona from Montjuic hill

Next stop on our itinerary will see us taking a drive up Montjuic hill - the name means Jewish hill in Catalan, and for centuries this was the home of Barcelona’s Jewish community. The picturesque Montjuic neighbourhood offers fabulous views of Barcelona and the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean beyond from its hilltop perch almost 200 metres above sea level. Dominated by the imposing bulk of Montjuic castle, sweeping Parc de Montjuic is one of the city’s most popular haunts for some R+R, and with its gurgling fountains, landscaped gardens and clifftop panoramas it’s easy to see why. 

Explore the Plaza de Espana 

On our tour of Montjuic we’ll get the chance to visit the site of the 1929 World’s Fair in the Plaza de Espana. The grandiose Palau Nacional (National Palace) ii one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, whilst the Mies van der Rohe designed German pavilion stands as one of the crucial examples of the International Style in modern architecture - a masterpiece of  steel, glass and marble. Nearby, a visit to the Olympic Ring will take us back to the 1992 Games and more masterworks of modern architecture by Arata Isozaki, Santiago Calatrava and others.

Drink in the atmosphere of medieval Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter

The oldest part of the city, Barcelona’s atmospheric Gothic quarter is an enchanting mix of winding alleys and beautiful squares. As our tour of Barcelona continues into this historic neighbourhood, we’ll learn how the area known as El Call was Barcelona’s medieval Jewish quarter, complete with its still-standing ancient synagogue, and unravel the tragic history that took place here. In grand Plaça Reial we’ll admire the elegant street lamps that were Gaudí’s first contributions to the city, while eerie Plaça de Sant Felip Neri still bears the scars of the Spanish Civil War. The imposing columns of the 2,000 year-old temple to Augustus speak to the earliest foundations of the city, whilst a visit to Barcelona’s cathedral with its gargoyle-studded facade  and Gothic interior is one of the highlights of any trip to Barcelona.  

Wander through vibrant Las Ramblas and experience the delights of the Bouqeria market

No tour of Barcelona would be complete without a visit to world-famous La Rambla, Barcelona’s iconic central boulevard. Running for over a kilometre from the port to the Placa de Catalunya, La Rambla’s endless supply of shops, bars and restaurants and street-artists capture the street-theatre of daily life in Barcelona at its most vibrant. On our visit to Las Rambla we’ll be sure to stop in at La Boqueria, one of Europe’s largest food markets. Stall after stall piled high with fruits and vegetables or festooned with hams and cured meats make La Bouqeria a feast for the senses that you can’t miss!

* Please note this tour ends in the centre of Barcelona. There is no drop off at your hotel/accommodation, but as the location is very central you can always ask your guide to direct you towards a taxi stand or metro station. 

* If you are arriving and departing by cruiseship we need to extend the time with the car to drop you off at the port, so there will be a surcharge for this service. Please mention this when you are booking the tour. 

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